The BlenniidcB of South Africa. 107 



SALAEIAS KOSIENSIS, Regan. 



Solaris kosiensis, Regan, Ann. Nat. Gov. Museum, vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 254. 

 (Blue Blenny, Yellow Blenny.) 



A strong canine on each side of lower jaw. Depth of body 3 y L to 

 3| times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 to 

 4 times. Distance from eye to point of snout H times to nearly 

 twice diameter of eye, which is 4f to 5f times in length of head ; 

 interorbital width f to 1^ diameter of eye ; greatest depth of head 

 equals its length and slightly exceeds its greatest breadth ; depth of 

 caudal peduncle 2i to 3 times in length of head. Snout obtuse, pro- 

 jecting slightly beyond mouth ; upper lip thick and overhangs lower, 

 maxillary reaches to vertical of middle or posterior third of orbits ; a 

 simple tentacle over the centre of each eye the length of which 

 seems to vary, ranging from ^ to about f length of head ; a bunch of 

 tentacles at anterior nostril ; a row or fringe of closely set plain 

 tentacles about i diameter of eye in length across nape, with a 

 transverse groove between it and the origin of the dorsal fin ; cheeks 

 very swollen. 



Dorsal xi 11-12 ; commences slightly in front of base of pectorals 

 and reaches nearly to caudal ; spines weak, the 1st bent backwards 

 at about -J- its height and from ^ to ^ length of head ; succeeding 

 spines shorter posteriorly and the connecting membrane of last 

 spine is attached low down on the first soft ray, forming a deep 

 notch between the spinous and soft-rayed portions of the fin, the 

 soft-rayed portion being higher than the spinous, the longest rays 

 being about i to -?- length of head. Pectorals 15 ; broad and pointed, 

 middle rays longest and about f to 1 in length of head. Ventrals 

 i 2-3 ; fleshy, -J- to f length of head. Anal n 13-14 ; spines tuber- 

 culose, sometimes very small ; soft portion of fin lower than soft 

 dorsal, membranes deeply incised. Caudal rounded or truncate, 

 middle rays split, about f length of head. Scales of lateral line 

 enlarged on arch, which is low. 



Colour (of preserved specimens). Apparently there are two types 

 of colour, the one a dark bluish shade, the other yellow or yellowish 

 brown ; 3 or 4 indistinct bars across the body, head and shoulders 

 are covered with numerous small dark spots, which are continued 

 above arched portion of lateral line and below dorsal. The yellow 

 variety, especially, shows many light-coloured spots on body and 

 vertical fins. 



Six specimens, ranging in length from 126 mm. to 155 mm., from 

 Mr. Robinson, Natal. Except in regard to colour they closely 



